U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Weekly Update for April 15

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 15, 2013) - The current U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Weekly update released on April 15 includes briefs on U.S. players.

SYKORA COVER STORY TO FIVB VOLLEYWORLD MAGAZINE: Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas), a three-time U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team selection, was recently featured as the cover story on FIVB’s VolleyWorld magazine. The magazine details Sykora’s comeback efforts from a serious bus accident just over two years ago in Brazil. In the article, Sykora says “I’m like 90 percent retired, but I’m not going to use the word retired until my body tells me I am. I’m going to give it one more try…” To read the full story, click here. Sykora also wrote a recent blog for the FIVB and provides her opinion on the upcoming season of international volleyball. Read the blog by clicking here.

DAVIS WITH GERMANY’S DRESDNER SC: Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.), a two-time Olympic Games silver medalist as a libero with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, joined Dresdner SC late in the 2012-13 season. Dresdner, as the third seed, opened its semifinal series with Rote Raben Vilsbiburg with a dominating 25-21, 25-21, 25-11 victory on April 13. Davis provided a 58 positive reception percent on 12 service receptions and helped her team to a 48 kill percent and .388 hitting efficiency (41-8-85). The same two teams meet again on April 20 at Margon Arena and again on April 24 if necessary.

LARSON-BURBACH, BOWN WITH RUSSIA’S DINAMO KAZAN: Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.) and Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.), who have each won an Olympic silver medal with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, are competing for Dinamo Kazan in the Russia Super League. Kazan, which concluded the regular season in first place, swept its best-of-three quarterfinal round series with Tyumen. In the opening match on April 10, Kazan tallied a 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22 victory. Larson-Burbach notched 14 points in the victory, while Bown added four points. Kazan ended the series on April 14 with a 28-26, 25-16, 27-25 victory to advance to the semifinal round with matches on April 22, April 23, April 27 and if needed April 28 and May 1. Larson-Burbach and Bown both scored nine points in the second quarterfinal match.

HOOKER WITH RUSSIA’S DINAMO KRASNODAR: Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas), who earned the Best Spiker Award at the 2012 Olympic Games while helping the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team to the silver medal, is competing for Dinamo Krasnodar in the Russia Super League this winter. Krasnodar split the first two matches of its best-of-three quarterfinal round series with Omichka. As the fourth seed, Krasnodar won the opening match 25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17 on April 10. In the second match of the series, Omichka came back to level the series with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-20 victory on April 14 to force a deciding match on April 17 for the right to advance to the semifinal round.

AKINRADEWO WITH AZERBAIJAN’S RABITA BAKU: Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.), a silver medalist with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team at the 2012 Olympic Games, is competing for Rabita Baku in the Azerbaijan Super League. Rabita Baku handled Lokomotiv 25-23, 30-28, 25-21 on April 11 to stay well in the lead of the league standings. Rabita Baku won its 24th round match against Baki Azeryolservis 25-21, 25-12, 25-21 on April 14. Akinradewo collected eight kills on 10 errorless attacks while picking up two blocks for 10 points. Rabita currently has 55 points in the league standings, 10 more than second-place Igtisadchi.

MIYASHIRO, SPICER WITH AZERBAIJAN’S LOKOMOTIV BAKU: Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii), a silver medalist with the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, signed mid-season with Azerbaijan’s Lokomotiv Baku. Lokomotiv dropped a 25-23, 30-28, 25-21 hard-fought match to league-leader Rabita Baku on April 11, but maintained its fourth position in the league standings.

METCALF, PAOLINI WITH AZERBAIJAN’S IGTISADCHI BAKU: Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa), an opposite on the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team with experience at the 2004 Olympic Games, and U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team middle blocker Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) are playing for Igtisadchi Baku of the Azerbaijan Super League in 2012-2013. Igtisadchi defeated Lokomotiv Baladzhary 25-19, 25-14, 25-10 on April 11 to take a two-point advantage in the league standings over third-place Azerrail. Igtisadchi collected a 25-12, 25-16, 25-10 victory over Telecom to assure itself the advantage for second place with 45 points.

HODGE, WILSON WITH AZERBAIJAN’S AZERRAIL BAKU: Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), a silver medalist on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, is playing for Azerbaijan’s Azerrail Baku in 2012-2013 along with fellow Penn State University alum Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.). Azerrail topped Lokomotiv Baladzhary 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 on April 14 to remain in third place after Igtisadchi won both its matches during the week.

TAMAS WITH AZERBAIJAN’S BAKI AZERYOLSERVIS: Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.), a 2008 silver medalist with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team, is playing for Baki Azeryolservis of the Azerbaijan Super League in 2012-2013. The team stopped Telcom 25-19, 25-22, 25-18 on April 11 for its 29th point in the league standings. However, Baki Azeryolservis lost to league-leader Rabita Baku 25-21, 25-12, 25-21 on April 14 in the 24th round of the league. Tamas scored four points with two kills on eight errorless attacks and two blocks. Baki Azeryolservis now has 29 points for fifth place.

BERG WITH TURKEY’S FENERBAHCE: Lindsey Berg (Honolulu), a two-time Olympic Games silver medalist with the U.S. and three-time Olympian, signed to play with Fenerbahce in the Turkish League mid-way through the regular season. Fenerbahce completed the its quarterfinal best-of-three series sweep of Bursa Buyuksehir on April 8 with a 25-13, 25-13, 15-14 victory. Berg set her squad to a 54 kill percent and .457 hitting efficiency (50-8-92) while also providing two blocks. However, Fenerbahce lost both matches in its semifinal series with VakikBank. On April 11, VakifBank won 29-31, 25-19, 25-17, 25-17. Berg set her team to a 37 kill percent and added one kill on three attacks. VakifBank completed the sweep on April 14 with a 25-21, 25-20, 25-12 victory to end Fenerbahce playoff season. Fenerbahce was limited to a 29 kill percent for the match as its serve receive produced only a 40 positive percent.

GIBBEMEYER WITH ITALY’S VOLLEY PESARO: Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.), a middle blocker with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is competing for KGS Robursport Volley Pesaro in the Italian Serie A1 league in 2012-2013. Pesaro (9-9, 24 points), seeded seventh in the Italian League playoffs, won both matches of its Eighth Round home-and-home series with 10th-seed Volley 2002 Forli Bologna to advance to the quarterfinals. Pesaro won the opening match 25-17, 25-22, 25-17 on April 10 as Gibbemeyer pocketed a match-high 22 points with 15 kills on 26 attacks and just one error to go with a match-high six blocks and one ace. Pesaro completed the series sweep with a 25-18, 25-18, 26-24 victory on April 13. Gibbemeyer played just the opening set and registered two kills on three errorless attacks, one block and an ace for four points. Pesaro had won the series following its first set victory, which allowed the coach to rest three starters the final two sets. Pesaro will now challenge second-seed Rebecchi Nordmeccanica in the best-of-three quarterfinal round with matches on April 16 and April 19, followed by the tiebreaker on April 22 if necessary.

KLINEMAN WITH ITALY’S ASYSTEL McCARNAGHI VILLA CORTESE: Alix Klineman (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) returns to the Italian Serie A1 for a second season, but will compete for Asystel McCarnaghi Villa Cortese in 2012-2013. Villa Cortese ended the regular season with a 9-9 record and with 30 points for fourth place. Villa Cortese received a bye in the Eighth Round home-and-home as one of the top four teams and will play fifth-seed Imoco Volley Conegliano in the best-of-three quarterfinal round that begins on April 16, followed by April 19 and April 22 if necessary.

FAUCETTE WITH ITALY’S YAMAMAY BUSTO ARSIZIO: Juliann Faucette (San Diego), a U.S. outside hitter/opposite, is competing for Yamamay Busto Arsizio of the Italian Serie A1 for the 2012-13 season. Busto Arsizio (15-3, 46 points) finished the regular season in first place with an eight-point lead over second-place Rebecchi Nordmeccanica. Busto Arsizio received a bye in the Eighth Round home-and-home series bye and advanced directly to the quarterfinal round to play ninth-seed Banca Reale Yoyogurt Giaveno in the best-of-three quarterfinal round with matches on April 17 and April 20. If necessary, the tiebreaking match will be played April 23.

SCOTT-ARRUDA, ALISHA GLASS WITH PUERTO RICO’S MAYAGUEZ: Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.), a five-time U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team selection and two-time Olympic silver medalist, and Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.), a setter for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball team, are competing for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rico Super League. Mayaguez bounced back to defeat Catano 22-25, 25-14, 25-19, 26-24 on April 9 as it continued the double-round robin quarterfinal playoffs. Scott-Arruda scored 12 points in the victory, while Glass pushed out 24 assists and 15 digs. Mayaguez edged Bayamon 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 16-14 on April 11 to continue its win streak. Scott-Arruda provided 13 points in the victory, while Glass notched 18 assists, seven points and 16 digs. Mayaguez picked up its third win of the week with a 27-25, 25-14, 25-22 victory over Catano on April 13. Scott-Arruda scored 11 points and Glass was credited with 13 assists and 10 digs. Mayaguez, after losing its first match of the double round-robin quarterfinal playoffs, is tied for first place in Pool A with Corozal as both teams are 3-1. Mayaguez concludes the quarterfinal round with matches against co-leader Corozal on April 15 and Bayamon on April 17.

JONES WITH PUERTO RICO’S CATANO: Jessica Jones (Naperville, Ill.), a middle blocker with the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, is competing for Catano in the Puerto Rico Super League this season. Catano lost to Mayaguez 22-25, 25-14, 25-19, 26-24 on April 9 in the double-round robin quarterfinal round playoffs. Jones sparked Catano with a team-high 17 points, including six blocks. Catano dropped a 27-25, 22-25, 23-25, 25-13, 16-14 match to Corozal on April 11. Jones tallied 13 points in the loss, including six blocks. Catano lost its third match of the week with a 27-25, 25-14, 25-22 setback to Mayaguez on April 13. Jones charted 13 points in the loss. Catano is tied for third place in Pool A and is in danger of not advancing out of the double round-robin quarterfinal series. Catano is two victories behind the group leaders and complete Pool A against Bayamon April 15 and Corozal on April 17.

OTHER AMERICANS IN PUERTO RICO: Julie Bennett and Alaina Bergsma scored 22 and 19 points each in leading Guaynabo to a four-set win over Humacao on April 8 in the double-round robin quarterfinal playoffs. Caitlyn Donahue set 29 assists to go with 11 digs and two points. Stephanie Niemer led Humacao with 18 points, while Falyn Fonoimoana and Emily Brown totaled nine and eight points, respectively…Gina Mancuso notched a match-high 19 points in leading Ponce to a three-set win over Caguas on April 8. Jasmine Norton added nine points in the victory. Erin Moore led Cagaus with 12 points…Tarah Murrey and Kelly Murphy each scored 17 points and Lauren Cook provided 28 assists in leading Bayamon to a four-set win over Corozal on April 9. Kim Willoughby scored a match-high 22 points to lead Corozal…Shonda Cole collected 18 points in helping Mayaguez to a four-set win over Catano on April 9. Shannon Wingate scored 12 points in the loss…Gina Mancuso charted 20 points and Jasmine Norton added 17 points in Ponce’s four-set come-back win over Guaynabo on April 10. Alaina Bergsma scored a team-high 19 points for Guaynabo, while Julie Bennett added 13 points and Caitlyn Donahue totaled 21 assists, seven points and 16 digs…Erin Moore scored 14 points in aiding Caguas to a five-set win over Humacao on April 10. Falyn Fonoimoana recorded 22 points in the loss, followed by Stephanie Niemer’s 21 points and Emily Brown’s 16 points…Shonda Cole scored a team-high 22 points in leading Mayaguez to a key five-set win over Bayamon on April 11. Kelly Murphy scored 24 points in the loss, while Tarah Murrey chipped in 18 points and Lauren Cook was credited with 17 assists…Kim Willoughby scored a match-high 27 points in pacing Corozal to a five-set victory over Catano on April 11. Shannon Wingate tallied nine points in the loss…Erin Moore secured 13 points in leading Caguas to a three-set win over Humacao on April 12. Stephanie Niemer led Humacao with 11 points, while Falyn Fonoimoana and Emily Brown added eight points apiece…Gina Mancuso piled up 16 points all on kills in pacing Ponce to a three-set win over Guaynabo on April 12. Jasmine Norton added 10 points in the victory. Alaina Bergsma led Guaynabo with a match-high 20 points, while Julie Bennett chipped in 12 points…Shonda Cole led Mayaguez with 21 points in its three-set win over Catano on April 13. Kim Willoughby recorded a match-high 16 points in pacing Corozal to a three-set win over Bayamon on April 13. Tarah Murrey led Bayamon with 14 points in the loss, while Kelly Murphy chipped in seven points…Humacao upset Ponce in five sets on April 15 as Falyn Fonoimoana scored a match-high 28 points and Stephanie Niemer followed with 18 points. Emily Brown tallied nine points in the victory. Gina Mancuso led Ponce with 20 points and Jasmine Norton chipped in 12 points…Guaynabo’s Alaina Bergsma scored 11 points and Julie Bennett nine on April 14, but it was not enough as Caguas came away with a hard-fought three-set win as Erin Moore turned in eight points in the victory.